The Sud-Ouest is home to some to the best garlic in France quite close to Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's home town, Albi.

The apples are pretty wonderful too. This apple tarte has just been spritzed with l'Armagnac

Just about everything was getting spritzed with Armagnac

Have you ever tasted pruneau d'Agen? Out of this world best prunes ever.

My prune marmalade crepe just got the spritz of course.

It's near impossible to recount all the goodies from this area of France but there was loads of free tastes

I bought this magret du canard seché and I'm not quite sure what to do with it. Any suggestions would be welcome. Honestly I think I spent every centime in my pocket. You're buying direct from producteurs/producers so who can resist even if you don't know what it is. They often have rooms available at their farms so you can visit as well.

I did taste a few snails. No problem there.

So much charcuterie..

I got this tasting plate to try (5€)

As you entered the fete they handed you paper bags. Later you got on line and they popped huge plums, apples and garlic into your paper bags. In the past they've given out 15 tons of fruit!

22 comments:

Carol you have the best of everything to taste where you are, it looks like everyone brings their products to Paris. It's true Agen prunes are the best, I eat 3 three every morning. Never thought of spritzing my apple tarts with cognac, My guilty secret,don't tell anyone ha ha. I prefer mine in a coffee.

Jambon..fromage..saucisson..baguette..your tasting plate looks just right..never tasted those pruneaux..Love the spritz trick..great idea..I just froze a few crêpes..I don't know what you should do with the dried magret..But I did Google and one of my very favorite QC personalities..(I love her..I know that sounds funny but I do..!) had this on her site..http://aladistasio.telequebec.tv/recettes/recette.aspx?id=524She explains how to dry your own but further on says it is good with melon..fresh figs..pears..:)I guess like a prosciutto.My son-in-law would know he loves all forms of duck.Everyone looks so nice:)

Carol, what a wonderful three day event! You were wise to attend twice, and what feasting was possible, along with so much inspiration for using some of these fabulous ingredients after this particular weekend.

What a magnificent event! I love it that they give away fruit to the kids. The charcuterie plates look fantastic. As does your prune galette. I do think that I might need to start spritzing most things with armagnac.

Reading your delicious blog and all of the comments inspired me.Not only will I spritz my next fruit tart with Armagnac,but I just pulled an unopened bottle,carried home from Paris in April,out my cupboard,and put a few drops in my coffee. I'll definitely do that again,but maybe in the evening with decaf coffee (a better idea). Not to worry,I'm off to my Zumba class soon to work off any small effect.

I love your blog but I must tell you that the happiest picture for me was the picture of the women in the band. Real regular sized women! I swear(call me naïve)but I really was under the impression that absolutely all French women are super slim and so chic and all of the food you show had me baffled as to how they managed this miracle. Mystery solved-they all don't Thank you J

I haven't read the other comments (yet) but I can tell you about the magret de canard - you open that packet a good 30' before using the meat and then you add it decorously on a mixed leaf salad - et voilà. An excellent little 'repas léger' and fabulous with a glass of dark red and honestly, with an Armagnac as 'apéro' and some 'prunes d'Agen' for dessert you're set for the day... :) bon app

The magret seche is EXCELLENT on mache or watercress with cut up pears and and a little roquefort cheese “sprinkled on top” I would suggest a framboise vinegrette…balsamic or champagne vinegrette is also delicious. Thsi is my standard “entrée” before I served my Paella. The recipes are on my blog :)

Je had me salivating the entire length of the post. My nostrils were quivering just trying to smell the charcuterie and the apples. Notre Dame was so beautiful at that time of the evening. Thank you for such wonderful photos and your posts about Giverny were fantastic, I felt that I was back there. Have a fantastic day :)Laurie

Paris Letters

♥carol gillott♥

l'Ile Saint Louis, Paris, Ile de France, France

Hi I'm Carol Gillott,
My Mom taught me watercolors at 5. I'm still at it, now tripping over cobblestones, living in a 6th-floor garret on l'Ile Saint-Louis, Paris. Read Parisbreakfast with a hot chocolate and croissant.
I paint Paris breakfasts.